Modular back panel sub-assembly

ABSTRACT

A motor vehicle seating assembly for a motor vehicle has upwardly extending seat back assembly comprising a seat back frame, a decorative seat back rear panel module, and a seat back cushion and suspension module attached to the seat back frame. The decorative seat back rear panel module has a first seat back rear perimeter panel and a second seat back rear central panel operably connected with the first seat back rear perimeter panel that define a rear exterior surface area of the decorative seat back rear panel module.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to a seat back rear panel for aupwardly extending seat back of a seating assembly for a motion vehicleand, more particularly, a decorative seat back rear panel moduleconstructed from multiple panel interchangeable components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern motor vehicle seating assemblies are becoming more and morecomfortable as designers improve their understanding of humanergonomics, posture, and comfortability. Vehicle seating assemblies thatinclude comfort components in the motor vehicle seating assembly thatcan provide the driver and passengers with improved comfort andincreased endurance for extensive vehicle rides. Additionally, varioussizes and shapes of drivers and passengers can prove challenging whenproviding motor vehicle seating assemblies. Accordingly, aestheticallyattractive motor vehicle seating assemblies that include componentsoptimized to accommodate the different sizes and shapes of drivers andpassengers, as well as the desired posture and sitting positions ofthose drivers and passengers, has become increasingly important.

As a consequence, contemporary motor vehicle seating assemblies nowincorporate hundreds of discrete parts. The assembly of suchcontemporary motor vehicle seating assemblies requires bringing togetherthese hundreds of parts to be assembled into a final motor vehicleseating assembly, typically employing so-called “Kanban” or“Just-In-Time” (“JIT”) assembly processes to achieve the completed motorvehicle seat assembly. Using such assembly processes, it has been foundto be advantageous to modularize the motor vehicle seating assembly intodiscrete subassemblies in order to reduce the costs of final assembly.This allows the subassemblies to be sourced from a location independentof the final JIT assembly plant. An improved motor vehicle seatingassembly module design to achieve all of the needs of the motor vehicleseating assembly, particularly a decorative seat back rear panel moduleto provide these assembly advantages, as well as achieving a new andflexible look and styling, was desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a motor vehicleseating assembly for a motor vehicle has a lower seat assembly and anupwardly extending seat back assembly. The upwardly extending seat backassembly comprises a seat back frame, a seat back cushion and suspensionmodule attached to the seat back frame, and a decorative seat back rearpanel module having a first seat back rear perimeter panel and a secondseat back rear central panel operably connected with the first seat backrear perimeter panel that define a rear exterior surface area of thedecorative seat back rear panel module.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a seat backassembly comprises a decorative seat back rear panel module having afirst seat back rear perimeter panel and a second seat back rear centralpanel that define a rear exterior surface area of the decorative seatback rear panel module, wherein the second seat back rear central panelcomprises a molded substrate having an outer surface and a trim coveringdisposed against the outer surface of the molded substrate.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a motorvehicle seating assembly comprises a lower seat assembly and an upwardlyextending seat back assembly, wherein the upwardly extending seat backassembly comprises a seat back frame, a seat back cushion and suspensionmodule, and a decorative seat back rear panel module. The seat backcushion and suspension module is attached to the seat frame, furthercomprises a one-piece composite inner carrier substrate having a pair ofvertically extending side members, an upper transverse member, and alower transverse member, wherein an outer edge of each of the sidemembers, upper transverse member, and lower transverse member form anouter perimeter, and a seat back trim cover having an outer perimeterhaving a plurality of seat back trim cover attachment fasteners disposedabout a perimeter of the seat back trim cover at locations correspondingto the discrete locations of the outer perimeter of the inner carriersubstrate. The decorative seat back rear panel module comprises a firstseat back rear perimeter panel and a second seat back rear central panelthat define a rear exterior surface of the decorative seat back rearpanel module, wherein the second seat back rear central panel comprisesa molded substrate having an outer surface and a trim covering disposedagainst the outer surface of the molded substrate, and the first seatback rear perimeter panel comprises a pair of vertically extending,forward facing, and opposed side edges that each include a plurality ofvertically aligned, molded-in attachment receptacles, wherein the outeredge of each of the vertically extending members of the one-piececomposite inner carrier substrate includes a plurality of verticallyaligned, molded-in attachment fasteners aligned and corresponding withthe attachment receptacles of the decorative seat back rear panel modulethat are received within and are resiliently secured by the attachmentreceptacles of the decorative seat back rear panel module when theupwardly extending seat back is assembled.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present disclosurewill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front side perspective view of motor vehicle provided withthe motor vehicle seating assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front side perspective view of the motor vehicle seatingassembly of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an exploded front side perspective view of the motor vehicleseating assembly of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a front side perspective view of the seat back and suspensionmodule of the motor vehicle seating assembly of FIG. 1 according to thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a rear side perspective view of the seat back and suspensionmodule of the motor vehicle seating assembly of FIG. 1 according to thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of an upper portion of the seat backand suspension module of the motor vehicle seating assembly of FIG. 1according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of a lower portion of the seat backand suspension module of the motor vehicle seating assembly of FIG. 1according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is another rear perspective view of a lower portion of the seatback and suspension module of the motor vehicle seating assembly of FIG.1 according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 8A is an enlarged perspective view of a seat back trim coverattachment fastener of the seat back and suspension module of the motorvehicle seating assembly of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of a side portion of the seat back andsuspension module of the motor vehicle seating assembly of FIG. 1according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a front side perspective view of the one-piece compositeinner carrier substrate of the seat back and suspension module of themotor vehicle seating assembly of FIG. 1 according to the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the one-piece composite inner carriersubstrate of the seat back and suspension module of the motor vehicleseating assembly of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the one-piece composite inner carriersubstrate of the seat back and suspension module of the motor vehicleseating assembly of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a rear side perspective view of the decorative seat back rearpanel module of the motor vehicle seating assembly of FIG. 1 accordingto the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a rear side perspective exploded view of the decorative seatback rear panel module of the motor vehicle seating assembly of FIG. 1according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the seat back frame of the motorvehicle seating assembly of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of the upper portion of theone-piece composite inner carrier substrate and the upper portion of theseat back frame of the motor vehicle seating assembly of FIG. 1according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the upper portion of the one-piececomposite inner carrier substrate of the motor vehicle seating assemblyof FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a perspective side cross-sectional view of the upper portionof the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate and the upper portionof the seat back frame of the motor vehicle seating assembly of FIG. 1according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a side cross-sectional view taken along the line XIX-XIX inFIG. 18 of the upper portion of the one-piece composite inner carriersubstrate and the upper portion of the seat back frame of the motorvehicle seating assembly of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure;and

FIG. 20 is a perspective top view of the upper portion of the one-piececomposite inner carrier substrate and the upper portion of the seat backframe of the motor vehicle seating assembly of FIG. 1 according to thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As referenced in the figures, the same reference numerals may be usedherein to refer to the same parameters and components or their similarmodifications and alternatives. For purposes of description herein, theterms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,”“horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the presentdisclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood thatthe present disclosure may assume various alternative orientations,except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to beunderstood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in theattached drawings, and described in the following specification aresimply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in theappended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physicalcharacteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not tobe considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.The drawings referenced herein are schematic and associated viewsthereof are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 10 generally designates amotor vehicle seating assembly for a motor vehicle 8 having a lower seatassembly 12 and an upwardly extending seat back assembly 14. The seatback assembly 14 preferably supports a head restraint 16 thereon. Theupwardly extending seat back assembly 14 is pivotally coupled with thelower seat assembly 12, such that the upwardly extending seat backassembly 14 can be moved between upright and inclined positions relativethe lower seat assembly 12. The head restraint 16 is operably, andpreferably slidably, connected with the seat back assembly 14 and alsopositioned in a variety of positions and heights relative to theupwardly extending seat back assembly 14 to support the head and neck ofa driver or a passenger.

Referring to FIG. 3, the lower seat assembly 12 includes a lower seatframe base 18 to which a lower seat cushion and suspension module 20 isattached. A decorative plastic fascia 22 is mounted to the lower seatassembly 12 and about the seat cushion and suspension module 20. Theupwardly extending seat back assembly 14 includes a seat back frame 24,an upper seat back and suspension module 26, a decorative seat back rearpanel module 28, and the head restraint 16, as further discussed herein.

It is best shown in FIG. 4, the seat back and suspension module 26includes a one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30 and asuspension system 32 mounted to and supported by the one-piece compositeinner carrier substrate 30. As shown in FIGS. 10-12, the one-piececomposite inner carrier substrate 30 is preferably formed as anintegrated and unitary structure via an injection molding process from arigid plastic material containing reinforcing fibers, such as fiberglass fibers. The one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30 isgenerally comprised of a pair of vertically extending side members 34,an upper transverse member 36, and a lower transverse member 38. Agenerally rectangular opening 40 is defined by the vertically extendingside members 34, the upper transverse member 36, and the lowertransverse member 38.

The result is an outer perimeter 42 extending about an outer edge 44 ofthe vertically extending side members, an outer edge 46 of the uppertransverse member 36, and an outer edge 48 of the lower transversemember 38. Also, an inner perimeter 50 defining the generallyrectangular opening 40 is created by an inner edge 52 of the verticallyextending side members 34, an inner edge 54 of the upper transversemember 36, and an inner edge 56 of the lower transverse member 38. Aplurality of attachment openings 58 is disposed about the outerperimeter 42 of the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30.

The one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30 of the seat back andsuspension module 26 forms a support structure to which a seat back trimcover 60 may be attached, as shown in FIGS. 6-9. The seat back trimcover 60 can be formed of any material typically applied to suchapplications, such as leather, vinyl, cloth, or any combination thereof.The seat back and suspension module 26 further comprises a cushion foamlayer 62 concealed beneath and in juxtaposed relation with seat backtrim cover 60. The seat back trim cover 60 has an outer perimeter 64that is slightly larger than the outer perimeter 42 of the one-piececomposite inner carrier substrate 30 of the seat back and suspensionmodule 26, which allows the outer perimeter 64 of the seat back trimcover 60 to be folded over the outer perimeter 42 of the one-piececomposite inner carrier substrate 30, as discussed further below.

A plurality of seat back trim cover attachment fasteners 66, eachpreferably comprising a J-retainer, are provided about the outerperimeter 64 of the seat back trim cover 60, as best shown in FIG. 8A.As a beneficial feature of the present disclosure, the J-retainerattachment fasteners 66 are located at strategic locations about theouter perimeter 64 of the seat back trim cover 60. The J-retainerattachment fasteners 66 are also preferably selected of a particularsize from among a plurality of J-retainer attachment fastener 66 sizesthat corresponds to the tension applied to the position about the outerperimeter 64 of the seat back trim cover 60. That is, when installed onthe one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30 as described herein,the seat back trim cover 60 experiences a different tension at differentlocations about its outer perimeter 64 when occupied by a seatedoccupant. In those locations that experience a higher tension, it istherefore advantageous that a larger J-retainer attachment fastener 66be selected to provide a more robust attachment of the seat back trimcover 60 to the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30. Theattachment openings 58 disposed about and proximate to the outerperimeter 42 of the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30 arepreferably sized to receive the corresponding J-retainer attachmentfastener 66 in the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30 at aparticular location.

The J-retainer attachment fasteners 66, as are well known in the art,each comprise a plastic clip having a main portion 70 and a hook 72provided at a distal end 74 of the main portion 70. The hook 72preferably has a U-shaped configuration with an engaging portion 76extending in parallel with the main portion 70. An inwardly extendinggripping barb 78 is preferably provided at a distal end 80 of theengaging portion 76 that resiliently and detachably engages an edge 82of the perimeter trim J-retainer attachment openings 58, as shown inFIG. 8A. Preferably, the plastic from which the J-retainer attachmentfasteners 66 are constructed is a non-breakable material, such aspolypropylene. The main portion 70 of the J-retainer attachmentfasteners 66 is further preferably sewn directly to the outer perimeter64 of the seat back trim cover 60, which when attached to a perimetertrim J-retainer attachment opening 58 about the outer perimeter 42 ofthe one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30, keeps the seat backtrim cover 60 tight against the one-piece composite inner carriersubstrate 30.

During assembly of the seat back and suspension module 20, the seat backtrim cover 60, with an exposed surface 84 facing forwardly relative theone-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30, is placed with thecushion foam layer 62 disposed beneath it against a forward surface 86of the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30 and the suspensionsystem 32 mounted to and supported by the one-piece composite innercarrier substrate 30. The outer perimeter 64 of the seat back trim cover60, with the J-retainer attachment fasteners 66 installed at locationsabout its perimeter 64 corresponding to the discrete locations of theperimeter trim J-retainer attachment openings 58, is folded over theouter perimeter 42 of the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate30. The J-retainer attachment fasteners 66 are then inserted into andreceived by the perimeter trim J-retainer attachment openings 58 toattach the seat back trim cover 60 at discrete points around the outerperimeter 42 of the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30 tomaintain the seat back trim cover 60 in a taunt condition.

As shown in FIGS. 6-12, preferably, each of the perimeter trimJ-retainer attachment openings 58 disposed on the vertically extendingside members 34 of the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30have a plurality of opening widths that correspond to the size of theJ-retainer attachment fastener 66 selected for and applied to thatlocation about the outer perimeter 64 of the seat back trim cover 60.However, the width of the perimeter trim J-retainer attachment openings58 can be sized to meet the need of the seat back trim cover 60 at anyposition about the outer perimeter 42 of the one-piece composite innercarrier substrate 30. A lower portion 88 of the seat back trim cover 60is preferably attached to the lower transverse member 38 of the outerperimeter 42 of the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30 via atransversely extending integrated comb 90 of J-retainer attachmentfasteners 66 received within a transversely extending and correspondingplurality of attachment openings 58 disposed along the lower transversemember 38 of the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30, as bestshown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

As a result of the use of the J-retainer attachment fasteners 66 andperimeter trim J-retainer attachment openings 58 strategically disposedabout the outer perimeter 42 of the one-piece composite inner carriersubstrate 30, the seat back trim cover 60 can be easily and readilyattached about the outer perimeter 42 of the one-piece composite innercarrier substrate 30. The perimeter trim J-retainer attachment openings58 disposed about the outer perimeter 42 of the one-piece compositeinner carrier substrate 30 thus allows for the seat back trim cover 60to be attached at all critical points around the seat back andsuspension module 26 from top to bottom to ensure that the seat backtrim cover 60 remains taut and maintains a crafted appearance even asthe occupant ingresses and egresses the motor vehicle seating assembly10. Additionally, the perimeter trim J-retainer attachment openings 58are purposely located to allow ease of attachment, low assembly efforts,and faster assembly times.

The decorative seat back rear panel module 28 represents a furtherinnovation. In the past, most decorative back panels were typicallyconstructed as a one-piece molded component, some of which werevinyl-wrapped. However, this approach tended to limit the ability todeliver unique styling and contrasting materials and surface finishes.In addition, a modular design and assembly concept offers reduced costsand can provide for the inclusion of additional components, such asairbag deployments, within the motor vehicle seating assembly 10.

Accordingly, the decorative seat back rear panel module 28 of thepresent disclosure comprises a first seat back rear perimeter panel 94and a second seat back rear central panel 96 that is operably connectedwith the first seat back rear perimeter panel 94 and that togetherdefine a rear exterior surface area 98 of the decorative seat back rearpanel module 28. The second seat back rear central panel 96 in turncomprises a molded substrate 100 having a rearward facing outer surface102 and a trim covering 104 disposed against and attached to the outersurface 102 of the molded substrate 100. As best shown in FIGS. 13 and14, the molded substrate 100 further comprises an outer perimeter 106,where the trim covering 104 is folded over the outer perimeter 106 ofthe molded substrate 100. Preferably, the trim covering 104 is attachedto the molded substrate 100 at all areas of contact via a thin layer ofadhesive to provide a smooth, wrinkle free, surface. Additionally, asnoted above, the trim covering 104 can be fabricated from any of theusual materials used for trim coverings for motor vehicle seatingassemblies, such as leather, vinyl, cloth, and combinations thereof.Preferably, the second seat back rear central panel 96 also receives atoe kick trim panel 108 depending from a lower portion 110 of the secondseat back rear central panel 96.

The first seat back rear perimeter panel 94 is preferably injectionmolded from a semi-rigid plastic material. As a decorative component,the exposed rear exterior surface area 98 of the first seat back rearperimeter panel 94 represents an A-surface within the interior of themotor vehicle 8 and is preferably finished with a high grade, textured,grained surface to simulate leather or another predetermined surfacefinish.

As shown in FIG. 14, the first seat back rear perimeter panel 94comprises a smaller portion of the rear exterior surface area 98 of thedecorative seat back rear panel module 28 and the second seat back rearcentral panel 96 comprises a larger portion of the rear exterior surfacearea 98 of the decorative seat back rear panel module 28. Preferably,the first seat back rear perimeter panel 94 comprises about 30% of therear exterior surface area 98 of the decorative seat back rear panelmodule 28 and the second seat back rear central panel 96 comprises aabout 70% of the rear exterior surface area 98 of the decorative seatback rear panel module 28. This ratio between the portions of the rearexterior surface area 98 of the first seat back rear perimeter panel 94relative the second seat back rear central panel 96 is believed toprovide heretofore unattained flexibility in design and styling, in thatinterchangeable, second seat back rear central panel 96, each havingdifferent features and different coverings, can be readily interchangedto provide a wide range of differing motor vehicle seating assemblydesigns. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the trim covering 104 for thesecond seat back rear central panel 96 may comprise a sewn cloth wraphaving a sewn-in map pocket 112. Alternatively, beverage holders andclosable compartments (not shown) might be incorporated within thesecond seat back rear central panel 96 and then merely attached to thefirst seat back rear perimeter panel 94 for subsequent assembly into themotor vehicle seating assembly 10 for a particular vehicle build,without having to adopt the same second seat back rear central panel 96for every motor vehicle seating assembly 10 installed in a particularmotor vehicle line.

For ease of assembly, the first seat back rear perimeter panel 94 has anouter perimeter 114 defining the outer perimeter of the decorative seatback rear panel module 28 and an inner perimeter 116 having a firstmounting flange 118. The second seat back rear central panel 96 has acomplementary outer perimeter 120 having a second mounting flange 122overlapping with and attached to the first mounting flange 118 of theinner perimeter 116 of the first seat back rear perimeter panel 94. Thesecond mounting flange 122 of the second seat back rear central panel 96is preferably heat-staked to the first mounting flange 118 of the firstseat back rear perimeter panel 94. Alternatively, the second mountingflange 122 of the second seat back rear central panel 96 may bevibration welded to the first mounting flange 118 of the first seat backrear perimeter panel 94.

With regard to assembly of the upwardly extending seat back assembly 14,as noted above, the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30 has apair of vertically extending side members 34. The outer edge 44 of eachof the vertically extending side members 34 of the one-piece compositeinner carrier substrate 30 preferably includes a plurality of verticallyaligned, molded-in attachment fasteners 124, preferably snap fitfasteners as best shown in FIGS. 10-11. The first seat back rearperimeter panel 94 of the decorative seat back rear panel module 28,shown in FIG. 14, is likewise provided with a pair of verticallyextending, forward facing, and opposed side edges 126 that eachsimilarly include a plurality of complementary vertically aligned,molded-in attachment receptacles 128 that correspond to, are inalignment with, and receive the vertically aligned, molded-in attachmentfasteners 124 of the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30.With the vertically aligned, molded-in attachment fasteners 124 of theone-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30 aligned and correspondingwith the molded-in attachment receptacles 128 of the decorative seatback rear panel module 28, the molded-in attachment fasteners 124 of theone-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30 are resiliently securedby the molded-in attachment receptacles 128 of the decorative seat backrear panel module 28 when the seat back and suspension module 26 isassembled to the seat back frame 24. Preferably, the perimeterJ-retainer attachment fasteners 66 disposed on the vertically extendingside members 34 of the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30alternate with the vertically aligned, molded-in attachment fasteners124 disposed on the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30.

Additionally, the side edges 126 of the first seat back rear perimeterpanel 94 of the decorative seat back rear panel module 28 are preferablyconfigured to extend forwardly to form a trim panel 130 that abuts theresulting folded over perimeter 64 of the seat back trim cover 60 toform an aesthetically pleasing and finished appearance when attachedwith the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30.

Preferably, the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate supports thesuspension system 32 within the generally rectangular opening 40 toresiliently support the weight of an occupant sitting in the motorvehicle seating assembly 10. The suspension system 32 generallycomprises a first set of metal, preferably spring steel, wires 132having a nominal wire thickness that extend transversely between asecond set of metal wires 134 that extend vertically between thevertically extending side member 34, as best shown in FIGS. 11-12. Apair of transversely extending wires 136 operably connects the secondset of metal wires 134 to each of the vertically extending side members34 of the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30.

One of the pair of transversely extending wires 136 may be attached toeach of the vertically extending side members 34 of the one-piececomposite inner carrier substrate 30 via a load cell 138 mounted withina cavity 140 formed along the inner edge 52 of each of the verticallyextending side members 34 of the one-piece composite inner carriersubstrate 30, as shown in FIG. 11. The result is a suspension system 32that has a spring web situated within the generally rectangular opening40 and which provides resilient support against the weight of theoccupant in a motor vehicle seating assembly 10. Further, in the eventof a rear impact event, the inertia of an occupant seating in the motorvehicle seating assembly 10 pushes back against the upwardly extendingseat back assembly 14 and creates tension in the suspension system 32.Optionally, the load cell 138 operably connected to the suspensionsystem 32 may be situated to detect this event and transmit anappropriate signal to a motor vehicle controller (not shown).

Thus, an additional benefit of the one-piece composite inner carriersubstrate 30 and decorative seat back rear panel module 28 of thepresent disclosure is that they may be readily provided with additionalfeatures or structures by changing the molds for the one-piece compositeinner carrier substrate 30 or decorative seat back rear panel module 28.For example, one or more of the vertically extending side members 34 ofthe one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30 can be modified andadapted to accept a housing or other mounting structure for a sideairbag assembly mounted in the motor vehicle seating assembly 10 (notshown). Similarly, the pair of vertically extending, forward facing, andopposed side edges 126 of the first seat back rear perimeter panel 94can be configured to include an integrated side airbag mounting chamber(not shown).

A further innovation of the present disclosure is the manner in whichthe one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30 of the seat back andsuspension module 20 is coupled to the seat back frame 24. In the past,assuring the structural integrity of the upper portion 142 of thevertically extending seat back assembly 14 has been an important designconsideration. In accordance with the present disclosure, head restraintguide sleeves 150 are employed as structural members to mechanicallylock the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30 of the seat backand suspension module 26 to the seat back frame 24. The head restraintguide sleeves 150 are pushed through aligned openings 152, 154 in eachof the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30 and the seat backframe 24, respectively, during final seat assembly until fully seatedand locked in place. Once installed, the head restraint guide sleeves150 operate in their usual manner and form guide sleeve cavities 156within which the head restraint mounting posts 158 of the head restraint16 can be vertically adjusted. This innovation contributes to themodular design disclosed herein, and provides an assembly concept thatoffers reduced costs and can provide improved design flexibility.

As shown in FIG. 3, the head restraint 16 is rather conventional andconsists of a head restraint pad 160 and a pair of head restraintmounting posts 158 depending from a lower surface 162 in the headrestraint pad 160. As shown in FIG. 15, the seat back frame 24 is themain structural member of the upwardly extending seat back assembly 14and is comprised of a pair of vertically extending side members 164, anupper transverse member 166 forming an upper portion thereof, and alower transverse member 168. An optional pivot assembly 170 rotationallycouples the seat back frame 24 and the upwardly extending seat backassembly 14 to the lower seat base frame. The seat back frame 24 thusforms a forwardly facing surface 172 and a rearwardly facing surface 174and is provided with a pair of vertically oriented frame openings 154within the upper transverse member 166 forming the upper portionthereof. Similarly, the upper transverse member 36 of the one-piececomposite inner carrier substrate 30 forming the upper portion of theseat back and suspension module 26 is provided with a pair of verticallyoriented module openings 152 in the upper portion. The module openings152 and frame openings 154 are disposed in vertical alignment, one withthe other.

The pair of head restraint guide sleeves 150 are vertically received andretained within the module openings 152 and frame openings 154, whereinthe head restraint mounting posts 158 are received and adjustablyretained within the head restraint guide sleeves 150, as shown in FIGS.15-20. As further described below, the head restraint guide sleeves 150are received and retained within the module opening 152 and frameopenings 154 of the upper transverse member 36 of the one-piececomposite inner carrier substrate 30 and the upper transverse member 166of the seat back frame 24, respectively, to mechanically lock theone-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30 to the seat back frame24.

Vertically oriented openings 148 through each of an upper portion of theseat back trim cover 60 and an upper portion of the cushion foam layer62 that overlay the upper portion 142 of the upwardly extending seatback assembly 14. Thus, the head restraint guide sleeves 150 passthrough the upper portion of the seat back and suspension module 26,which includes the upper portion of the seat back trim cover 60, theupper portion of the cushion foam layer 62, and the upper transversemember 36 of the upper portion of the one-piece composite inner carriersubstrate 30, and into the upper transverse member 166 of the seat backframe, which receives and locks the head restraint guide sleeve 150 inplace subsequent assembly of the upwardly extending seat back assembly14. As an injection molded component, the module openings 152 within theupper transverse member of the one-piece composite inner carriersubstrate 30 are molded-in to receive the head restraint guide sleeves150 and lock the head restraint guide sleeves 150 to the uppertransverse member 36 of the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate30 to the upper transverse member 166 of the seat back frame 24.

To this end, the upper transverse member 36 of the one-piece compositeinner carrier substrate 30 also includes a pair of molded-in integralresilient locking pawls 176, preferably disposed at a peripheralposition proximate a rear edge 178 of the molded-in module openings 152,as shown in FIG. 16. Each of the resilient locking pawls 176 is disposedadjacent to and extends toward each of the aligned module openings 152in the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30. Each of theresilient locking pawls 176 also extends upwardly relative an uppersurface 180 of the upper transverse member 36 of the one-piece compositeinner carrier substrate 30 in a cantilevered fashion and aredisplaceable between a released position and an engaged position, asdiscussed further below. Further, each of the resilient locking pawls176 has an inwardly inclined upper surface 182, a flat vertical face184, and a lower edge 186. The forward and side edges 188, 190 of themolded-in module openings 152 do not necessarily need to be circular andcan be oversized relative the frame openings 154 in the upper transversemember 166 of the seat back frame 24. Most important is that thedownwardly extending head restraint mounting posts 158 of the headrestraint 16 pass readily through the molded-in module openings 152 inthe upper transverse member 36 of the one-piece composite inner carriersubstrate 30. The head restraint guide sleeves 150 are instead rigidlyand fixedly retained in position via the frame openings 154 in the uppertransverse member 166 of the seat back frame 24, as discussed below.

As best shown in FIG. 19, the pair of head restraint guide sleeves 150each comprises a tubular member 92 having an outer cylindrical surface194 and the guide sleeve cavity 156 within which the mounting posts 158of the head restraint 16 are received and restrained. The outercylindrical surface 194 of each of the head restraint guide sleeves 150has a locking tab 196. The outer cylindrical surface 194 of the headrestraint guide sleeve 150 also include a stop 198 that engages theframe opening 154 of the upper transverse member 166 of the upperportion 142 of the seat back frame 24 when the head restraint guidesleeve 150 is fully inserted.

As each of the head restraint guide sleeves 150 is inserted after theassembled seat back, and suspension module 26 has been assembled withthe decorative seat back rear panel module 28, as described above, theouter cylindrical surface 194 of the head restraint guide sleeve 150 isreceived within an aligned opening 148 in the seat back trim cover 60and the cushion foam layer 62, then module opening 152 of the uppertransverse member 36 of the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate30, and the frame openings 154 in the upper transverse member 166 of theseat back frame 24. As it is inserted, the locking tab 196 of the headrestraint guide sleeve 150 acts against the inwardly inclined uppersurface 182 of the resilient locking pawl 176 and resiliently displacesthe resilient locking pawl 176 away from the module opening 152 to thereleased position until the locking tab 196 moves downward relative toand clears the flat vertical face 184. With the head restraint guidesleeve 150 fully inserted against the stop 198, the lower edge 186 ofthe resilient locking pawl 176 moves to the engaged position andmechanically engages an upper surface 200 of the locking tab 196 toprevent withdraw of the head restraint guide sleeve 150 from the moduleopening 152 in the upper transverse member 36 of the one-piece compositeinner carrier substrate 30. If it is desired to remove the headrestraint guide sleeve 150, an upper portion 202 of the resilientlocking pawl 176 can be manually displaced to the released position,wherein the lower edge 186 of the resilient locking pawl 176 disengagesthe upper surface 200 of the locking tab 196 and the head restraintguide sleeve 150 can be removed.

The two head restraint guide sleeves 150, when pushed through themolded-in module openings 152 in the upper transverse member 36 of theone-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30 during the final seatassembly and fully seated, act as “mechanical locks” for the one-piececomposite inner carrier substrate 30 to the seat back frame 24. Thebenefit of the “locks” helps prevent the one-piece composite innercarrier substrate 30 from listing forward during dynamic events andremain “locked” to the seat back frame 24 until manually released.

Preferably, the upper transverse member 36 of the seat back frame 24comprises a U-shaped beam 204 having an upper horizontal flange 206, avertical center portion 208, and a lower horizontal flange 210, whichadds structural support to the seat back frame 24. Each of the upperhorizontal flange 206 and lower horizontal flange 210 has verticallyaligned frame openings 154 within which the outer cylindrical surface194 of the head restraint guide sleeve 150 is fittingly received.Preferably, each of these frame openings 154 has a downwardly curved andflared edge 212 to facilitate insertion of the head restraint guidesleeve 150, as shown in FIG. 19. The upper and lower horizontal flanges206, 210 also provide a mechanical attachment that creates a“line-to-line” contact to ensure that the head restraint guide sleeves150 do not tilt or move in a longitudinal or lateral direction wheninstalled and provides a pass-through feature for the head restraintguide sleeves 150.

Preferably, an upper portion 214 of the head restraint guide sleeves 150comprises a trim cover bezel 216, shown in FIGS. 15 and 19. As notedabove, the outer cylindrical surface 194 of the head restraint guidesleeve 150 also includes a stop 198 that engages the frame opening 154on the upper horizontal flange 206 of the upper transverse member 166 ofthe seat back frame 24 when the head restraint guide sleeve 150 is fullyinserted. Preferably, the stop 198 is disposed opposite the locking tab196 on the outer cylindrical surface 194 of the head restraint guidesleeve 150 and below the trim cover bezel 216 by a distancecorresponding to an overall thickness of the seat back trim cover 60 andcushion foam layer 62 disposed beneath the seat back trim cover 60 onthe seat back and suspension module 26. Thus, when assembled, the trimcover bezel 216 conceals the openings 148 in the seat back trim cover 60and provides an aesthetically presentable appearance.

As described above, the seat back and suspension module 26 and seat backframe 24 of the present disclosure provides integrated modular assemblyfeatures and supports JIT assembly practices by modularizing the seatback and suspension module 26 into a single module and therefore reducethe costs of final assembly by allowing this assembly to be sourced to alocation independent of the traditional JIT assembly plant. Thedescribed seat back and suspension module 26 uses a one-piece compositeinner carrier substrate 30 that enables the seat back trim cover 60 tobe fully assembled and attached around the outer perimeter 42 of theone-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30 to provide a crafted,easier to assemble, and more cost- and time-efficient product forupwardly extending seat back assembly 14.

In order to modularize the upwardly extending seat back assembly 14 andto therefore reduce the costs of final assembly by requiring less trimassembly time and difficulty that accompanying seat trim “stuffing,” aswell as the option of allowing this assembly to be sourced to a locationindependent of the traditional JIT assembly plant, the disclosedone-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30 can be employed. Further,the cushion foam layer 62 disposed beneath the seat back trim cover 60can reduced, resulting in the use of less material and a lighter weightfor the upwardly extending seat back assembly 14. Also, the use ofstrategically located trim cover attachment openings 58 and J-retainerattachment fasteners 66 about virtually the entire outer perimeter 42 ofthe one-piece composite inner carrier substrate 30 and seat back trimcover 60 allows ease of attachment, low assembly efforts, and goodretention for craftsmanship. The use of head restraint guide sleeves 150that are received and retained within module opening 152 and frameopenings 154 of the upper transverse member 36 of the one-piececomposite inner carrier substrate 30 and the upper transverse member 166of the seat back frame 24, respectively, provide a ready and reliablemechanical lock between the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate30 to the seat back frame 24. The one-piece composite inner carriersubstrate 30 advantageously employs compounding technology to achieve ahigh strength composite structure, while integrating several benefitsand features into a low cost and robust design and achieving a new lookfor styling.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the present disclosure and other components is notlimited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety ofmaterials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “operably connected” generallymeans that one component functions with respect to another component,even if there are other components located between the first and secondcomponent, and the term “operable” defines a functional relationshipbetween components.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the present disclosure as shown in the exemplaryembodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of thepresent innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure,those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readilyappreciate that, unless otherwise described, many modifications arepossible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes andproportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mountingarrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of thesubject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formedmay be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple partsmay be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may bereversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structuresand/or members or connector or other elements of the system may bevaried, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided betweenthe elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/orassemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide varietyof materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of awide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, allsuch modifications are intended to be included within the scope of thepresent innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, andomissions may be made in the design, operating positions, andarrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present invention, and further it is to beunderstood that such concepts are intended to be covered by thefollowing claims unless these claims by their language expressly stateotherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A motor vehicle seating assembly for a motor vehicle having a lower seat assembly and an upwardly extending seat back assembly, the upwardly extending seat back assembly comprising; a seat back frame; a seat back cushion and suspension module attached to the seat back frame; and a decorative seat back rear panel module having a first seat back rear perimeter panel comprised of an upper transverse member and a pair of opposed vertically extending side members to define an open lower portion and a second seat back rear central panel operably connected with the first seat back rear perimeter panel that define a rear exterior surface area of the decorative seat back rear panel module.
 2. The motor vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the second seat back rear central panel comprises a molded substrate having an outer surface and a trim covering disposed against the outer surface of the molded substrate.
 3. The motor vehicle seating assembly of claim 2, wherein the molded substrate of the second seat back rear central panel further comprises an outer perimeter about an upper transverse edge and a pair of opposed vertically extending side edges, the trim covering being folded over the outer perimeter of the molded substrate.
 4. The motor vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the first seat back rear perimeter panel defines a perimeter of the decorative seat back rear panel module about the upper transverse member and the pair of opposed vertically extending side members and comprises a smaller portion of the rear exterior surface area of the decorative seat back rear panel module and the second seat back rear central panel comprises a larger portion of the rear exterior surface area of the seat back rear panel module.
 5. The motor vehicle seating assembly of claim 4, wherein the first seat back rear perimeter panel comprises about 30% of the rear exterior surface area of the decorative seat back rear panel module and the second seat back rear central panel comprises about 70% of the rear exterior surface area of the decorative seat back rear panel module.
 6. The motor vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the first seat back rear perimeter panel comprises an injection molded component having a predetermined exterior surface finish.
 7. The motor vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the pair of opposed vertically extending side members of the first seat back rear perimeter panel comprises a pair of vertically extending, forward facing, and opposed side edges and wherein one of the side edges comprises a side-airbag mounting chamber.
 8. The motor vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the second seat back rear central panel comprises a sewn cloth wrap having a sewn-in map pocket.
 9. The motor vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the second seat back rear central panel comprises a toe kick trim panel depending from a lower portion of the second seat back rear central panel.
 10. The motor vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper transverse member and the pair of opposed vertically extending side members of the first seat back rear perimeter panel define an inner perimeter having a first mounting flange, and the second seat back rear central panel comprises an outer perimeter having a second mounting flange overlapping with and attached to the first mounting flange of the inner perimeter of the first seat back rear perimeter panel.
 11. The motor vehicle seating assembly of claim 10, wherein the second mounting flange of the second seat back rear central panel is heat-staked to the first mounting flange of the first rear seat back perimeter panel.
 12. The motor vehicle seating assembly of claim 10, wherein the second mounting flange of the second seat back rear central panel is vibration welded to the first mounting flange of the first rear seat back perimeter panel.
 13. The motor vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the seat back cushion and suspension module comprises a one-piece composite inner carrier substrate having a pair of vertically extending side members, an upper transverse member, and a lower transverse member, wherein an outer edge of each of the side members, upper transverse member, and lower transverse member form an outer perimeter, and a seat back trim cover having an outer perimeter disposed about the outer perimeter of the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate; and the pair of opposed vertically extending side members of the first rear seat back perimeter panel of the decorative seat back rear panel module further comprises a pair of vertically extending, forward facing, and opposed side edges that each include a plurality of vertically aligned molded-in attachment receptacles and the outer edge of each of the vertically extending members of the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate includes a plurality of vertically aligned molded-in attachment fasteners aligned and corresponding with the attachment receptacles of the decorative seat back rear panel module, wherein the attachment fasteners of the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate are resiliently secured by the attachment receptacles of the decorative seat back rear panel module when the seat back cushion and suspension module is assembled.
 14. A seat back assembly comprising a decorative seat back rear panel module having a first seat back rear perimeter panel comprised of an upper transverse member and a pair of opposed vertically extending side members to define an open lower portion and a second seat back rear central panel that defines a rear exterior surface area of the decorative seat back rear panel module, wherein the second seat back rear central panel comprises a molded substrate having an outer surface and a trim covering disposed against the outer surface of the molded substrate.
 15. The seat back assembly of claim 14, wherein the first seat back rear perimeter panel comprises a smaller portion of the rear exterior surface area of the decorative seat back rear panel module and the second seat back rear central panel comprises a larger portion of the rear exterior surface area of the decorative seat back rear panel module.
 16. The seat back assembly of claim 15, wherein the upper transverse member and the pair of opposed vertically extending side members of the first seat back rear perimeter panel define an inner perimeter having a first mounting flange, and the second seat back rear central panel comprises an outer perimeter having a second mounting flange attached to the first mounting flange of the inner perimeter of the first seat back rear perimeter panel.
 17. A motor vehicle seating assembly comprising a lower seat assembly and an upwardly extending seat back assembly, the upwardly extending seat back assembly comprising; a seat back frame; a seat back cushion and suspension module attached to the seat frame, the seat back cushion and suspension module further comprising a one-piece composite inner carrier substrate having a pair of vertically extending side members, an upper transverse member, and a lower transverse member, wherein an outer edge of each of the side members, upper transverse member, and lower transverse member form an outer perimeter of the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate, and a seat back trim cover having an outer perimeter having a plurality of seat back trim cover attachment fasteners disposed about a perimeter of the seat back trim cover at locations corresponding to a plurality of discrete locations about the outer perimeter of the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate; and a decorative seat back rear panel module comprising a first seat back rear perimeter panel comprised of an upper transverse member and a pair of opposed vertically extending side members to define an open lower portion and a second seat back rear central panel that define a rear exterior surface of the decorative seat back rear panel module, wherein the second seat back rear central panel comprises a molded substrate having an outer surface and a trim covering disposed against the outer surface of the molded substrate, and the pair of opposed vertically extending side members of the first seat back rear perimeter panel comprises a pair of vertically extending, forward facing, and opposed side edges that each include a plurality of vertically aligned molded-in attachment receptacles, wherein the outer edge of each of the vertically extending members of the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate includes a plurality of vertically aligned molded-in attachment fasteners aligned and corresponding with the attachment receptacles of the decorative seat back rear panel module that are received within and are resiliently secured by the attachment receptacles of the decorative seat back rear panel module when the upwardly extending seat back assembly is assembled.
 18. The motor vehicle seating assembly of claim 17, wherein the upper transverse member and the pair of opposed vertically extending side members of the first seat back rear perimeter panel defines the outer perimeter of the decorative seat back rear panel module and comprises a smaller portion of a rear exterior surface area of the decorative seat back rear panel module and the second seat back rear central panel comprises a larger portion of the rear exterior surface area of the seat back rear panel module.
 19. The motor vehicle seating assembly of claim 18, wherein the first seat back rear perimeter panel comprises about 30% of the rear exterior surface area of the decorative seat back rear panel module and the second seat back rear central panel comprises a about 70% of the rear exterior surface area of the decorative seat back rear panel module.
 20. The motor vehicle seating assembly of claim 17, wherein the upper transverse member and the pair of opposing vertically extending side members of the first seat back rear perimeter panel define an inner perimeter having a first mounting flange, and the second seat back rear central panel comprises an outer perimeter having a second mounting flange overlapping with and attached to the first mounting flange of the inner perimeter of the first seat back rear perimeter panel. 